Massey University Opens $70m Ngā Huia Vet Facility
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has launched its Rural Leadership Advancement Scholarship.
The scholarship is aimed at supporting a new generation of leaders in the sheep and beef sector.
As part of the initiative, B+LNZ will sponsor two sheep and beef farmers to participate in the NZ Rural Leader’s Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme in 2025.
Each successful candidate will be paired with a B+LNZ mentor relevant to their area of interest, with a tailored mentoring programme developed around them.
The scholarship is part of the industry good body’s refreshed strategy to enhance and sustain on-farm productivity and profitability.
A major focus of that strategy is on growing on-farm leadership, which the organisation says is essential for retaining talent and fostering positive workplace cultures.
Through this, B+LNZ says it aims to boost retention by enhancing leadership, celebrating success, and ensuring farm teams thrive from day one to the end of year three.
Olivia Weatherburn, B+LNZ national extension programme manager says the scholarship isn’t just about individual development but is also designed to benefit the wider sector.
“Recipients will share their project findings and experiences at a series of B+LNZ events, ensuring that the knowledge gained contributes to the growth and success of all our levy payers,” Weatherburn says.
She says that through the scholarship, B+LNZ wants to support and enable future farming leaders to make a significant impact on the sheep and beef sector from their position on-farm.
“We are committed to nurturing leadership behind the farm gates to grow the rural leadership community, ensuring that our sector continues to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape,” Weatherburn adds.
“We encourage all eligible farmers to apply and take this important step in their professional development.”
To apply for the scholarship, head to https://beeflambnz.com/programmes-partnerships/people-and-training/personal-development-programmes/kellogg-rural-leaders. Applications close 5pm, 7 October 2024.
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.
The black and white coat of Holstein- Friesian cows is globally recognised as a symbol of dairy farming and a defining trait of domestic cattle. But until recently, scientists didn’t know which genes were responsible for the Holstein’s spots.
According to the New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2024/25 report, New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more with fewer cows.

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